Conservatives react oddly to Filner scandal

Letters to the editor on Mayor Bob Filner for Aug. 20, 2013

Where are the conservatives in Filner scandal?

The conservative voices of San Diego find themselves in a unique position. They are now on the side of Gloria Allred and unproven accusations. This would have been unheard of 10 years ago.

In 2003, when Arnold Schwarzenegger was running for governor, over 16 women came forward with sexual harassment accusations. Conservatives at that time believed in the cornerstone of American law that one is innocent until proven guilty. These women who came forward, some with Ms. Allred, were ridiculed by conservatives who called into question their timing.

Mayor Filner appears to be guilty of every accusation, because his women are deemed credible by conservatives like Hedgecock. Many liberals have jumped on the bandwagon, because to stick up for his rights is some how equaled to sticking up for his behavior, as the lynch mob mentality grows to a fevered pitch.

Mayor Filner has admitted his bad behavior. Now it’s time for the conservative idea of due process. The American idea of a man’s day in court to face his accusers. It seems the rush is on to get him to quit before this can happen. Are they afraid Filner will win in court? Where are the true conservatives, who don’t flip-flop for partisan reasons?

Curt Oakley

Poway

Filner’s behavior is just mischief

I am a 70-year-old grandmother, and I consider certain actions of Mayor Filner to be nothing more than harmless mischief. I am disappointed that public officials and members of the media have used Mayor Filner’s prankishness as an excuse to conduct an abusive campaign against him. No one has truly been harmed by the mayor’s annoying playfulness.

If we label his actions as harassment, no one will understand the seriousness of a real case of harassment.

I am concerned about the motives of the accusers. They have much to gain politically, financially and personally from the mob mania they have incited. Their self-righteous feeding frenzy spurs the ambitions of many of them. On issues other than harassment, accusers seem to be taking a normal course, but on the issue of harassment, accusers are taking a sensationalistic course.

Their extreme vilification of a courageous public servant is frightening.

Diane Lifson

Carmel Mountain

City Council should force a resignation

In the private sector, a guy like Bob Filner would have been handed a box to clean out his desk, and then walked to his car by security.

Why doesn’t the City Council simply boycott all city meetings until Filner hands in his resignation? Surely, the citizens of San Diego would support such an action.

Pete Campbell

San Jose

Chicago thanks San Diego and Filner

My cousins from Chicago called to tell me that people in Chicago, and Illinois in general, are grateful to San Diego Mayor Bob Filner for taking over from their politicians as the most frequent political joke on late-night TV.

Bob Filner, please resign. In a matter of weeks you have done to San Diego’s political reputation what it took the Chicago political machine and Illinois politicians decades to accomplish.

Judith Chapman

Scripps Ranch

Dislikes the “great-grandmother” angle

I have nothing but admiration and respect for Peggy Shannon, the 67-year-old woman who was subjected to touch and innuendo by Mayor Filner. She was brave and gutsy to tell her story, as are all the women who have spoken out.

I have less admiration for members of the press who have treated this story as if a “great grandmother” should somehow be sacrosanct from this sort of harassment.

The local and the national press have touched only on Ms. Shannon’s age and multigenerational maternity status. None of the other women who have come forward have had to give details of children, grandchildren.

Ms. Shannon obviously fights mobility and weight issues with great dignity, and again, she is to be admired for allowing such an invasion of her privacy.

She is not much older than several of the other victims, nor is she unattractive. She is obviously bright and well-spoken, and presents herself as a woman anyone would be happy to know.

She is the only complainant to be identified as a great grandmother, and the attention this one detail has gotten clouds the fact that once again, a woman who could not fight back was targeted. Her job, her position, and her grace under fire deserve much more attention than her descendants.

I’m a great grandmother too. It’s not at all unusual for a woman to become a grandmother in her early or mid-40s. Most of Filner’s victims fall in or above that age range, and no mention has been made of their progeny. Women between 40 and 70 can still be attractive, can still be vibrant ... can still be subject to unwelcome advances. Let’s concentrate on that, and forget the spurious Norman Rockwell granny stuff.

Kate Baker Tilton

Poway

Grand jury should take up the mayor

The grand jury provides a way for the ordinary citizen to affect the ethical regulation and harmony we want in society. It provides due process for the accused, as well as meeting society’s needs.

One of the many volunteer roles that are served by the 19 members of the county’s grand jury is to examine alleged misconduct by a local government official, such as San Diego Mayor Bob Filner.

I served on the county’s grand jury from July 2004 to June 2005.

As per a special provision in our government code, Section 3060, the grand jury can evaluate the allegations against the mayor, then file a formal accusation with the District Attorney’s Office, which can then empanel a regular 12-member jury that hears the case and determines if misconduct has occurred. If so, an official may immediately be removed from office.

This would be a more efficient way of dealing with the mayor’s issue, as opposed to a costly and time-consuming recall.

Wonders if mayor’s health is at issue

Has he been evaluated by a neurologist to determine if there is a physical etiology, i.e. dementia, brain tumor, etc.?

Toni Rogers

San Carlos

Let’s wait for decision on Filner’s ability

Is it possible to see the U-T and other detractors wait for Mayor Filner’s physicians and counselors to determine his ability to govern? Filner’s alleged behavior could be attributed to several things.

Please stop the relentless pursuit. For the record, I’m a feminist, middle-aged, an RN, counselor and teacher, having specialized in psychiatry and addictions.

Nettie Fowler

North Park

Compares Arnold to Filner

Arnold Schwarzenegger as governor did every disgraceful thing that Filner did plus father an illegitimate child & there was no recall. In my opinion both of these guys are a disgrace & should not be allowed to serve in the public interest ever again.

Also just because one is a $Republican and one a Democrat, the punishment should be handed out on the same bases for each.

Allen F. Dziuk

Carlsbad

Amazed that some still support mayor

With all the many stories of Bob Filner’s failures as mayor, I am amazed that there is still about 20 percent of San Diego residents who still support him per the latest poll.

They often just mention his 15 or so sexual misconduct episodes as though they were OK, at least in their evaluation of trust, but seem to ignore his other charges, such as misused city credit cards, potential fraudulent payment to a contractor and many other dubious use of city funds.

The scary part of this is that these same people/voters keep putting some pathetic politicians into office at all levels, and we wonder why our politicians have a 14 percent rating by voters and fail their leadership responsibilities.

Dan Yelvington

San Carlos

Ad seems odd given the times

The current big news in San Diego is of course about the misdeeds of Mayor Filner. Did anyone at the San Diego Police Department think it was even the least bit ironic and inappropriate to promote a police event in the U-T (page A36) on Aug. 18 with a full-page ad that features a cartoon of a full-figured woman displaying ample cleavage?

I can only assume the Police Department takes its cues from the Mayor’s Office.

Michael Sampson

Kensington

Little ones keep their hands to themselves

We teach our little ones in school to keep their hands to themselves. No hitting, grabbing, pushing, kissing, hugging or other touching. Maybe it’s time for this rule to be extended to the workplace. Handshaking permitted, but otherwise, hands off. Call it the Filner alert.

Whew! What a relief!

Patricia Sharp

Carlsbad

Behavior was no surprise

OK, that does it! Did this mess all start after Bob Filner’s arrival in the Mayor’s office? Get serious! Can anyone even fathom a scenario where his bully tactics and rude behavior were not known for decades by school, city, congressional associates, friends and countless victims?

Shame on those who for political or other reasons looked the other way. You know who you are and you empowered him. But, by far the biggest shame is on us for promoting him along the way. I can’t wait to see whom the unions assign as his replacement.